Mission Possible- Mark 7:24-37
Notes
Transcript
“Peace be with you.”
“Let’s Pray: Father may your will be done. Jesus may your word be proclaimed. Spirit may your work be accomplished in us we pray. Amen”
I. Introduction: Assignment
I. Introduction: Assignment
16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. 17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed, 19 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” 20 And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
II.The Location: Tyre and Sidon
II.The Location: Tyre and Sidon
21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 “Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
III. The Prisoners.
III. The Prisoners.
A. Bound by Reputation- The Phoenician woman was bound by her reputation as being a Gentile, specifically a Canaanite an enemy of God’s people. Yet we learn that she see herself as a dog who is at the mercy of the crumbs that fall off the Master’s table to be able to benefit just a little. This crumb she doesn’t seek for herself but for her daughter who is also bound.
A. Bound by Reputation- The Phoenician woman was bound by her reputation as being a Gentile, specifically a Canaanite an enemy of God’s people. Yet we learn that she see herself as a dog who is at the mercy of the crumbs that fall off the Master’s table to be able to benefit just a little. This crumb she doesn’t seek for herself but for her daughter who is also bound.
1. Runs: Fell at the feet of Jesus- Posture of humility and offering.
1. Runs: Fell at the feet of Jesus- Posture of humility and offering.
2. Reputation: She is a Canaanite- past enemy of God’s People.
2. Reputation: She is a Canaanite- past enemy of God’s People.
3. Response: Wants a taste of this “Bread of Life”.
3. Response: Wants a taste of this “Bread of Life”.
4. Intercedes for her daughter.
4. Intercedes for her daughter.
B. Bound by Strongholds- The woman’s daughter is bound by an evil spirit. There is a stronghold upon her child that no one can loosen its grip. The woman hears of Jesus and seeks him out so that her daughter made be freed from the evil spirit. By her persistence and profession of faith, Jesus loosened the strongholds of her daughter and she was freedom for her evil strongholds.
B. Bound by Strongholds- The woman’s daughter is bound by an evil spirit. There is a stronghold upon her child that no one can loosen its grip. The woman hears of Jesus and seeks him out so that her daughter made be freed from the evil spirit. By her persistence and profession of faith, Jesus loosened the strongholds of her daughter and she was freedom for her evil strongholds.
C. Bound by Community- The community that bring the deaf and dumb gentleman to Jesus is from Decapolis where another hostage was set free by Jesus. Jesus jailbroke a man possessed by a Legion of demons, who was cast out of the community to live out his days among the tombs outside the community. When the community saw that the Man was a new man, they rejected Jesus and told him to leave. The Man however, wanted to leave with Jesus.
C. Bound by Community- The community that bring the deaf and dumb gentleman to Jesus is from Decapolis where another hostage was set free by Jesus. Jesus jailbroke a man possessed by a Legion of demons, who was cast out of the community to live out his days among the tombs outside the community. When the community saw that the Man was a new man, they rejected Jesus and told him to leave. The Man however, wanted to leave with Jesus.
18 As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him. 19 And He did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.
If we follow the timeline it comes reasonable for that community to have been influenced to believe by the Demoniac and who are now bringing others who are in need of being free to Jesus.
If we follow the timeline it comes reasonable for that community to have been influenced to believe by the Demoniac and who are now bringing others who are in need of being free to Jesus.
D. Bound by Silence- Now we come to learn of a gentile man that is brought by those in the community, who is bound by silence. Both his ears and tongue are bound preventing him to hear sounds and preventing him to speak words. The man is bound by silence unable to communicate or receive any words. Looking up into heaven and using his own fluids, Jesus “loosens” the bonds in his ears and on his tongue. Immediate that man was unfettered to receive the Word and proclaim it.
D. Bound by Silence- Now we come to learn of a gentile man that is brought by those in the community, who is bound by silence. Both his ears and tongue are bound preventing him to hear sounds and preventing him to speak words. The man is bound by silence unable to communicate or receive any words. Looking up into heaven and using his own fluids, Jesus “loosens” the bonds in his ears and on his tongue. Immediate that man was unfettered to receive the Word and proclaim it.
1. Spit would have been seen as bodily fluid that makes one unclean.
1. Spit would have been seen as bodily fluid that makes one unclean.
2. The Words Mark uses to describe what happens to the ears and tongue of the man further proves that Mark wants his readers to see these acts as Jesus setting people free.
2. The Words Mark uses to describe what happens to the ears and tongue of the man further proves that Mark wants his readers to see these acts as Jesus setting people free.
IV. The Tool- Jailbreak by His Word.
IV. The Tool- Jailbreak by His Word.
Jesus in both stories loosens by the commands of his Word.
Today his Word continues to loosen those bound.
V. The Outcome- Growing Freedom.
V. The Outcome- Growing Freedom.
When we hear that Jesus has come to set the captives and oppressed free we rightly associate the jailbreak to our salvation. Jesus forgiving our sins and giving us eternal life by our faith in Him.
But I must believe that the Gospel Lesson today that was penned by Mark is to lead us into a deeper understanding and appreciation of just how Jesus fully sets the captives and oppressed free.
Jesus doesn’t just give us a new life in freedom while still being bound in other ways in our life. Mark presents Jesus the Christ as a expert Jailbreaker who not only unfetters your chains, but also opens the prison doors, who also gives you a new reputation, frees you from your debts and frees you from those who seek to enslave you on the outside; He also opens your ears, loosens your tongue, so that you can communicate to others who are in need of rescuing as well.
Mark gives us a most robust and sure freedom in Jesus. He depicts Jesus as a messiah who not only frees you in salvation but equips you with resources that will allow you to continue to experience more and more freedom in your life until there is nothing else that binds you.
This is the life of liberty in the Spirit.
By learning that Jesus responses to even “dogs” we can trust in Him more to do in us more than we can think or imagine.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
Application:
Application:
I. Mission Complete Indeed.
I. Mission Complete Indeed.
37 They were utterly astonished, saying, “He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
Mark leaves us with words that draw us back to creation. At the end of each of the days of creation God himself declares that his work is good, signifying that what He created that day is worthy and complete and that God himself would call it good. Here we are left with the community from Decapolis once again amazed at the work of Jesus and declaring that his work is good.
Jesus doesn’t just set you from from a little, His work is a complete work and He sets you free completely. These little missions point to the accomplishment of the ultimate mission. Jesus gives us bread crumbs that lead us to be able to feast on the whole loaf.
36 “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
If the Words of Jesus can command you to break free of the bondage to evil forces.
If the spit of Jesus can make the deaf and dumb hear and speak.
If Jesus can accept an enemy as a friend.
If Jesus can use a Jailbroke Demoniac to change a community
Then His offer of forgiveness is true and real
Then His blood can atone for your sin
Then you have been made Friends with the Living God.
Then you can help others be set free as well.
II. Mission Recruitment
II. Mission Recruitment
The mission should you choose to accept it: Jesus wants you to help him set others free.
The mission should you choose to accept it: Jesus wants you to help him set others free.
In both cases of the gentile woman and the community from the Decapolis are interceding for others to be set free.
Notice that we know nothing of the faith of the little girl or the deaf man but we are given evidences of the faith of the Gentile Woman the the community that brings the deaf man. This clues us in on how our faith in Jesus not only imparts salvation and freedom in our own lives but it can impact the life of others as well.